In the wake of yet another Leeds United match being selected for live coverage by Sky Sports, Whites fan Scott Jones of Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, has organised a petition calling on Sky TV to stop causing fixture changes at short notice.
The reasoning behind the petition, hosted by Change.org, is that many fans of Leeds United (and other clubs) live far from the stadium, some even abroad, and they must necessarily arrange tickets, travel and accommodation quite some time in advance. The subsequent rearrangement of fixtures will inevitably cause financial loss and great inconvenience to these fans, who are left feeling that their concerns are of no importance to the big companies concerned.
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything feels strongly that these fans, whichever club they support, have a solid argument to the effect that a minimum notice period should be observed, without which games should not be rearranged. An alternative course would be adequate compensation for fans thus affected, as a matter of course and with no quibbles.
There are, of course, two sides to every coin. Live TV coverage is of great value to those who, for whatever reason, cannot get along to games in person. And some games will suddenly assume greater significance, with a consequent justification (Sky might argue) for selecting such games at short notice. But match-going supporters remain the lifeblood of football, and their understandable worries and concerns should not lightly be dismissed, nor indeed ridden over roughshod – as it appears all too frequently is happening. At the very least, the issue is worthy of consideration by the relevant bodies, and some attention should be paid as to how supporters’ concerns might be addressed.
For the Leeds United v Middlesbrough fixture just selected for coverage and therefore put back to the Monday evening, I have heard of a large party flying in from Norway, of a group who have paid four figures for an executive box, and sundry other groups and individuals whose long-established plans have been thrown into disarray, just on Mr. Murdoch‘s airy whim. This is simply not good enough. It’s high time Sky stopped messing loyal fans about, fans who have spent time and money making travel arrangements long in advance of the original fixture, from far afield. They lose out big time and Sky doesn’t seem to care one jot.
The Change.org petition started by Scott Jones can be signed here. It’s worthy of support, so please take a little time – out of consideration for your fellow fans – to do just that.
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
I do wonder whether there is a legal case to answer with Sky changing game dates and supporters loosing out financially as a consequence. I wonder whether LUFC fans who loose out could issue a class action law suit with the aim of recouping any loss.
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Interesting thought.
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Indeed, I guess what the fans need is a lawyer and LUFC fan to take this on?
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Is there a lawyer in the house??
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It’s getting boring what ever happened to just playing a game of football
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Disgusting from sky , using our club for there pockets , dirty is that,
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My 14 year old daughter and I are season ticket holders in the East Stand. We live in Birmingham and cannot do night matches because of school. My work does not involve Saturday’s, but does every other day. I can’t even watch on sky!!
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I am a season ticket holder at leeds (costing in excess of £500 for the ticket alone,) with a 450 mile round trip as well. I cannot get to midweek games without losing 2 days work even before SKY change at short notice and cannot change work schedule at short notice. WE NEED TIME TO BOOK (SAY SCHEDULE NO LATER THAN 1 MONTH BEFORE MATCH OR perhaps even longer for our supporters who don;t live on our island. I have signed the petition and thank you Rob for spreading the word as always!
Gerrycwmbran
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Cancel SKY. I did and saved nearly£100/month!! Hate SKY and football money.
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Hi Rob, first post for me, we have booked 5 seats in a box for this game and are coming from Adelaide. I now learn that after paying 450 pounds for the game plus airfares and accomodation we will probably miss the game. I have contacted the club and await a reply regarding a possible refund.
Something must be done, the supporters ARE the soul of any club yet are treated with scant regard by those in charge.
Keep rattling cages!
Mark
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That’s absolutely awful, Mark. I do hope you get some help from the club – or maybe even the real culprits, Sky and/or the FL. Good luck mate. Please let me know how it turns out. MOT
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Yet again another game changed to midweek so due to work commitments i wont be able to make it, another game of my seaon ticket which will be wasted after spending £455
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It is an absolute disgrace that sky tv can dictate when matches are to be changed at short notice causing many problems for those who pay to attend matches as opposed to those who watch from the armchair. It is obvious that the football authority who are supposed to protect the best interests of clubs have absolutely no interest in individual clubs and are only interested in bringing in more money for their own interests. Where is there any sign of following their own code of conduct? Where is there any fair play in the same amount of money being given irrespective of attendance figures. I would like to hear how they can justify the actions and not continue being faceless at the league headquarters. They are happy to take a portion of our money and not protect supporters interests. It’s about time something was done!
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Like so much else in law, there should be a catch-all consideration of reasonableness. With these short notice changes, and fans already having committed financially to the original fixture, I can’t see how it’s reasonable to carry on like this.
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I noted an earlier comment regarding is there a lawyer, surely the clubs lawyer should be looking at any options regarding this issue?
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The club should certainly stand ready to help, as their interests would seem to coincide with the fans’. But you can’t rely on LUFC to “do the right thing”.
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I think such a thing would probably be braking FL rules with regard to LUFC bringing civil action against the FL or it’s sponsor SKY, they are no doubt under contract. I might be wrong but I would guess such a thing would need to be brought independently.
Surely, their is at least one Lawyer who is a committed LUFC supporter that could give this legs?
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Why oh why, do Sky keep choosing Leeds games ?. Just what is the fascination in showing probably the worst Leeds team ever, playing some of their worst football ever ?.
Is it to highlight a poor Leeds team struggling and to give all of the many Leeds haters, their chance to see more of the team, which they all like to poke their noses into, as a sideline hobby, to compensate for their very boring football clubs ?.
Sadly due to Sky losing half of their Premiership coverage to BT, more and more second-rate Championship games are being featured on Sky and despite Leeds fury of the constant fixture changes, Leeds are obviously considered to be the “big fish” in the league, but really have become the underdogs, on the pitch, in our own eyes, this season.
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And I thought we were not famous anymore. We are on sky more than wheeler dealers. If sky bought the rights for strictly come dancing bet Cellino would be the first one asked to appear.
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8of us from Ireland have flights and hotel paid for and no way we can stretch the weekend out till Tue. A load of shite. Only get to come over once a year.
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Iceland Leeds supporters club háð planned á trip to this game. Arriving in Leeds on friday and leaving on monday. So we’ll miss the game 😕
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Commiserations, guys. Keep these coming, please. All anecdotal evidence.
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All we ask is for a lot more notice when the football league are thinking of changing one of Leeds united fixtures. People have other things in life to think of as well 😡😡
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Jokers! We don’t want to go to games after work. Saturdays are for foodball
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I think SKY an The Fucker League think it one big joke they just sit back an say “who gets the most views when on sky LEEDS” when do they Play ahaaaa Saturday right change it to Monday champagne anyone” it a joke i try to get to as many game as possible so i book will in advance last thing i get is the tickets unfortunately it didn’t turn out so good for the Blackburn game has everything booked an payed just was waiting for ticket when the wife told me that the date had been changed an its now on Thursday October 29. 24 hour before we were meant to fly to Leeds so it turned into a shopping spree
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That fan loyalty and fan needs never matter in the chase for more brass by the capitalist class should surprise none of us.
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Neither should it be meekly accepted by any of us.
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I agree with everything the real fans say on here, but for balance there’s two other points to consider. Apparently this game was selected for TV in December, but due to LUFC’s legal challenge it couldn’t be announced. Over a month later this challenge has been dismissed, so the date has now been announced. Secondly, if you sell your soul to the devil – as the Premier League and wider Football League have – you reap what you sow. Unfortunately, due to the amount of money involved, the broadcasters will continue to take over the game. How long before kick off times are also moved to target the global TV audience?
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Hi Rob, Mark from Adelaide again. The travel agent has been able to rearrange our plans so we will be at Elland road on the 15th so my Son can see his team live for the first time. The club have been efficient and helpful and did offer a refund if we could not make it so well done and thank you to Laura and the staff at LUFC. If you are near the Gary Speed suite I will buy you a pint! cheers Mark
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Glad to hear it’s worked out after all, Mark. Not for me, sadly, so I’ll miss out on that pint! Monday evenings are a problem for me, cheers Mr. Murdoch. Hope you and your party enjoy a great trip topped off with 3 points Mark, thanks for letting me know; well done Laura at LUFC and everyone else concerned. MOT!
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That’s great news, enjoy the game!
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